Christmas season is in full swing! We enjoyed the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on Sunday, with a few caveats. More music, please!
A BYU-Idaho student gets a 0 on her photography assignment reportedly for showing off her sexy and inappropriate shoulders. So where’s the line between what is, frankly, immodest art (that is still art) and lewd content?
James the Mormon has dropped the concatenation of his name and in the process, offered up a great Christmas jam that also helped the needy.
Should Santa be present at a ward Christmas party? Hard-hitting stuff, folks.
Did you know there are Mormon gamers, as in an entire society devoted to wholesome gaming? These people are new to us.
In some other news: a very uplifting story of a young man who combatted drug addiction to serve a mission; a Primary leader speaks at a UNICEF panel; the Church’s outreach with the Book of Mormon musical is working; a chapel burns down in Idaho; and more!

A number of articles were published this week about people who leave the Church, so were there some common threads within these articles? Absolutely, and it makes for some interesting discussion.
Did you KNOW that a Mormon would make a great Secretary of State because reasons? LDS Living says so, and really captures the things that make Mormons unique.
Gospel doctrine lessons are receiving new scholarly supplements for 2017, but will teachers and students notice and/or employ them? Will we take the time to get away from the “cartoon version” of the gospel?
The Light the World Christmas campaign by Mormon.org is in full swing, and we couldn’t be happier. Actual calls to serve!
A naked dude runs around the Logan Temple grounds, looking for a wife. He did not succeed, unless the measure of success was whether he got arrested, which he did.
Other news: Our t-shirt contest winner! Liberia gets its stake back; refugee talk; McKay Coppins goes to The Atlantic; Church loses petition to take sexual abuse case off of the Navajo reservation.

It’s Thanksgiving week, and Al is back in the studio with us. We’ve got a great grab bag of news for you, including:
All sorts of silly articles from LDS Living, like an assembly of Thanksgiving GIFs that only Mormons would understand even though they are super generic, or a strange obsession with an LDS family’s Family Feud appearance, or new visitor center presidents.
In important simian news, a man dressed as a gorilla is terrorizing apartments at BYU-Idaho. This is serious business, folks.
BYU-Idaho also hired its first female vice president mere decades after its founding. The progressive movement is in full force in Rexburg.
At the other BYU that’s not in Hawaii, some students recorded interviews about the black experience on campus. It’s pretty interesting. Watch it below.
The Friend magazine is getting some new features for 2017. Find out more right here.
Remember Elder Holland’s great talk in October 2016 General Conference about home teaching where he told the story of a father who accidentally killed his son and was comforted by a home teacher? Our buddies at LeadingLDS interviewed the father and the home teacher. Compelling stuff.
Other news: Triple combination in Croatian, family history coloring book, no more lesson calendar features on LDS.org, Hartford Temple dedication, and Geoff slipping into a depression.

Irene Kim Stone joins us to talk about post-election issues, like Mitt Romney potentially being Secretary of State, Steve Bannon saying not-nice things about Mormons, kids being shunned for their parents being Democrats, and more!
The Church quietly removed Elder Boyd K. Packer’s famed “Little Factories” talk from lds.org and withdrew a pamphlet (that was still available?!) from the LDS store. This is a sad day for us all, but it also leads us into a great discussion on LDS sexuality.
Also, Irene walks us through her General Authority power bracket, which is a thing, or it should be a thing. Basically, she’s not in love with Elder Bednar, which is silly, because Elder Bednar is awesome.
The Church announces new Book of Mormon videos like the recently completed Bible Videos series. These will be cool, and you can be a part of it, too!
Other news: Saints in Orange County, California build a scale replica of the tabernacle; woman jailed after beating her husband with Jesus; Idaho Falls Temple reopening; Winnipeg Temple groundbreaking; new LGBT center in Provo; y más!
Also, a giveaway! Listen to the whole show!

Well, it’s morning in America? Weird week. We can’t help but talk about the election a bit, so please indulge us. And then, we think, we are done! Unless something else wacky and wild happens.
However, of interesting note, Evan McMullin peaked too early and came in third place in Utah. Trump still carried Utah handily, though by a significantly lower percentage than in 2012. Also, 61% of Mormons voted for Trump.
In happier news, the open house and dedication dates for the Paris France Temple have been announced! You have to wait until late spring next year, but it’s happening. The greatest cultural celebration of all time.
Are we quietly talking more about Heavenly Mother? It appears we might be, but is it intentional? Is it planned? Is it a pivot away from male-centric discourse?
Other news: suspicious water bottles found in Church building (bombs); Mormon channel shows interfaith tutoring program secretly designed to convert Baptist youth; Church Christmas campaign announced; Teaching in the Savior’s Way training; more donations to help refugees.

In hard-hitting analysis, should modesty and/or temple garments be a concern on Halloween? Did you skank it up for funsies? Let us know in the comments.
Junior high kids mercilessly tease a classmate for having a Democrat mom. Isn’t this just important corrective behavior?
Has there really been a “mass exodus” from Mormonism? The data says not really, but it’s still a concern.
James the Mormon, who might someday get sued by the Church for using “Mormon” in his stage name, raps open a Deseret Industries! It’s the best thing of the week! Video embed below.
An enterprising YSA ward in Provo decides to assign a point value to courtship success in an effort to stimulate dating in the ward. And John Dehlin loves it!
President Uchtdorf sleeps in and winds up attending a refugee branch in Salt Lake.
Will Evan McMullin win Utah? Probably not. Time for our last pre-election political rundown.
Among religious groups, Mormons have the highest rate of those with some college education without completing a degree. Why?
Other news: Anniversary of the Handbook 1 changes from last year; LDS and Jewish leaders meet in Jerusalem; why doesn’t the media care about hate speech toward Mormons? Elder Bednar dedicates the Star Valley Wyoming Temple; and more!

Former Relief Society General President Julie B. Beck offers a prayer at a Trump-Pence rally in Utah, and many across the interwebs are dismayed. But is this anything to be dismayed over? Is there too much intermingling with even former Church callings and religion? Or is it really just because this is about Trump? We have answers.
Speaking of politics, all-around unpleasant ogre Lou Dobbs sent a Twitter tirade over to Evan McMullin, saying he was a product of the “Mormon Mafia.” The Twittersphere responded in kind, and the results were wonderful.
Also in politics, Elder D. Todd Christofferson messed up and donated to a friend’s campaign for a local school board. General Authorities have been banned from making political contributions since 2011. Elder Christofferson owned up to the mistake and we can all move on. OR CAN WE?
Lastly, LDS Daily wants to help you learn how to vote. Their five-step process will turn you into the most amazing, informed person ever.
BYU formally adopts changes to its Title IX and Honor Code process, removing the former from association with the latter, and granting victims of sexual assault amnesty as far as perceived Honor Code violations go. This is huge news for BYU.
The Church rebrands its stillborn “Mormonsandgays.org” website into “Mormon and Gay,” a subdomain much more clearly part of LDS.org, including interviews with gay Latter-day Saints. There’s some terrific stuff here.
And in assorted news: General Authorities and Officers release videos affirming their love for everyone; you can visit a swanky FamilySearch center in Layton; Jon Schmidt’s daughter remains missing; the Church dubs a website an “online art exhibit; and more!

Jana Riess chimes in about the Church’s purported failings when accommodating disabled persons, but especially in light of a friend’s visit to a temple open house. Unfortunately, it seems to be a one-sided attempt at click bait more than anything.
What are we to make of the Church’s recent letter encouraging members to vote down initiatives on physician-assisted suicide and recreational marijuana? Is this a step too far? Is this past the “moral” test? Some are calling for the Church to lose its tax-exempt status for being so overtly involved in such things. There’s some great discussion to be had here.
In (very) quick political news, Mormon candidate Evan McMullin has now tied Donald J. Trump in Utah, according to a new poll. Utah was also dubbed a battleground state by CNN, something that doesn’t happen very often.
Remember when the Church was involved in continuing the so-called “Zion Curtain” in Utah? The “curtain” is the barrier between where alcohol resides and where patrons eat in a restaurant, intended to remove booze from view. Well in a new theater, there is now a “Zion Ceiling” to prevent folks above a lobby from seeing down into the nefarious world of liquor.
In other news: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir announces its Christmas concert guest; the Fort Collins Colorado Temple is dedicated; the Mount Timpanogos Temple celebrates 20 years in operation with no fanfare whatsoever; BYU is set to raise tuition—again; the Mormon Channel hops on the Ted Talks bandwagon many years too late with “Hope Works”; the Church donates to Utah State University’s Mormon studies program.

Welp, it’s been an interesting week on the politics front, and relevant to you, our Mormon audience, because of the Mormon fallout from Donald Trump’s latest comments. Plus, Evan McMullin is now surging in the polls. Even Glenn Beck has sort of endorsed Hillary! Everything is topsy-turvy!
While we’re at it, you might see some LDS political memes featuring the “words” of prophets. Many of them are not true. Do your due diligence.
Should apostles retire? Following a General Conference in which an aged President Monson barely spoke, as well as what some perceived as backwards remarks by members of the Twelve in the so-called “Mormon Leaks” videos, some (as in, Salt Lake Tribune writers) wonder whether we should allow emeritus status for the Twelve. What do you think?
Interested in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas concert? Tickets will no longer be as lottery! First come, first served. Get in there!
KSL has a recap of what’s happened since the Church’s call to aid refugees six months ago.
In wonderful, settling news, BYU is now back up to 2012 enrollment levels. In related news, the number of missionaries is down from its 2014 peak. There appears to be an inverse relationship here.
Other news: President Uchtdorf does his own Facebook! The Hartford Connecticut Temple open house is underway! BYU police might be passing off police records to the Honor Code office! And so much more!

It’s our pre-General Conference show! We have a recap of the Women’s Session from last weekend and some thoughts on what we’ll see this coming weekend. Also, temple announcement predictions. Please join us on Facebook and Twitter this coming weekend as we enjoy #ldsconf together.
In other news, Mormons for Hillary is a bonafide thing now, and it has even roped in a few Republicans. We’ll try not to dwell too long on the political, but since we recorded this post-debate, it’s been on our mind.
A blogger at By Common Consent argues that you actually want the Church to be a corporation, as many deride the “corporate” nature of the modern, correlated Church.
Is a new Church-built office building in downtown Salt Lake City “sacred ground,” according to Bishop Causse?
Elder Holland formally denounces female genital mutilation, marking the first time a lifer General Authority has done so.
Also, rapping missionaries. See the video below.
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Peggy Fletcher Stack thinks future Mormon temples will have condominium towers built next to them because of the Philadelphia project. Is she correct? Current temple construction says no. What do you think?
Odd couple John Dehlin and Patrick Mason start a Patheos blog wherein they shall debate the true tenets of Churchiness! Is this a good idea?
Elder Bednar wanted some help writing a song. Paul Cardall answered the call. You won’t believe what happens next!
The Church releases a volume of the Joseph Smith Papers containing minutes from the mysterious rogue organization the Council of 50. Little is known of this secret society, and now we will expose it for what it truly is! (Dramatic, no?)
Do you think you’ll never leave the Church? Think again, says one blogger. You just might. We’re all frail and mortal.
Lots of other random news: Philadelphia Temple dedication; Cedar City Temple gets its Moroni; President Uchtdorf visits refugee camps and commend Europe for Europeness; David Archuleta volunteers to help Louisiana flood victims; Elder Rasband becomes the first apostle to visit Southern Virginia University; and more drama out of Timpview High School!
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Join us this week as we sit down with Redge Flake and Bryan Fugal of the upcoming film, The Last Descent, the tale of John Jones, who died in the fabled Nutty Putty caves.
In other news, Elder Holland thinks we should be far more outraged over the treatment of refugees, specifically citing sexual violence against women. In a related move, a huge tranche of the Church’s recent donations to refugee resettlement efforts air reserved specifically for the resettlement of refugees in the United States.
Hey, the Church joined Snapchat! Woo hoo!
In a new Pew study, less than 50% of Mormons now self-identify as Republicans. That’s a huge drop from 2012. Why?
Timpview High School almost bans cheerleader uniforms because of a complaint about modesty. *sigh*
A YSA bishop takes a unique approach (that seems sensical) to helping doubters in his congregation. The key is not to be a moron, it turns out.
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Elizabeth Smart directly challenges the way many members unfortunately talk about virtue (chewed gum, nails in fences, etc. etc.) We have a lively discussion about this and discuss areas for improvement.
What would happen if we got rid of “compelled service” callings like home and visiting teaching? Would Church structure fall apart? Would we rise to the challenge and simply serve because we love? Do we need programs like this and if so, how can we make them work better?
The Evan McMullin campaign hits an embarrassing snag in that a mysterious “Nathan” is Evan’s pick for VP, even though he doesn’t exist. It’s more funny than troubling, but still funny.
As we foresaw, this week the Church reassigned missionaries originally slated to serve in Russia thanks to Russia’s controversial anti-terrorism law that curbs religious freedom.
Do you know how to spot Mormons at Disneyland? LDS Living thinks they do, but Geoff knows the real tricks.
Also, Moroni comes down from the Washington DC Temple for the first time, the Church donates $2 million more to refugee aid, President Uchtdorf rededicates the Freiberg Germany Temple, and Church email addresses for leadership are getting simplified.
Notes:

Geoff returns! Thanks for your well wishes during recovery. It’s good to be back.
Should we be OK with the idea of “cultural Mormons”? Obviously, we need to accept and love everyone, but beyond that, is this a thing? Do we just live and let live without expecting anything of anyone?
There’s a great piece in The Atlantic about navigating Mormonism as a black woman. It’s definitely worth your time and consideration.
Should a Mormon-owned business be comfortable asking the ward for help when understaffed or facing economic trouble or is that a bridge too far?
Great job, BYU! In celebration of the 19th straight year being named the most Stone Cold Sober university by Princeton Review, the Creamery is selling commemorative chocolate milk. Get yours today!
Other stuff is in the links below. Enjoy!

Political science professor Hans Hassell of Cornell College sits down with us to continue our discussion on the wild and wonderful 2016 election system, how it relates to the Mormon perspective, and how on earth we are sitting in a world with Donald Trump as a viable presidential contender.
Our recent guest Evan McMullin has been in the election for a few weeks, and a new poll was released last week showing him in fourth place in Utah, which is not first. Surprisingly, Trump remains well ahead in Utah despite all of the press coverage about a paucity of LDS support for Mr. Winner.
Also, the Church is building a web page to help members learn how to discuss and defend religious freedom. This is the order of the day, folks! If you want a website about how to improve yourself as an individual and a leader, we recommend LeadingLDS, which is not done by the Church, but whoop dee do.
Why are Mormons susceptible to get-rich-quick schemes? This is an issue that top Church leaders are aware of, and Elder Dallin H. Oaks speaks about the reasons behind it and offers some tips on how to avoid getting sucked in.
Did you see the whole mess with former congressman and perennial mormon Tom Tancredo publishing a piece about how much Mormons are failing by not supporting Trump and how “Mormon leaders” are suppressing democracy? Even the Deseret News weighed in with a scathing editorial.
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Big stories this week! Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson walks back remarks about Mormons allegedly wanting to use religious freedom as justification to shoot people. What he really meant was everyone else wanted to shoot Mormons. Who knows. Just don’t vote for Trump.
Utah’s Planned Parenthood chapter backs off on its ill-devised plan to distribute “CTR” condoms. Oh yes! And they were going to be free at Sunstone. The real question is whether a certain former Ordain Women figurehead was behind the whole thing.
As science evolves and the possibility of being able to “customize” our genes inches closer, should the Church have a stance on such things? Should we allow ourselves to be genetically modified or do we need to be “as God made us”?
A Huffington Post writer tells her tale of rape, unwanted pregnancy, and the lack of support the Church reportedly gave her. It’s sad stuff. Folks, be there for people who endure hardship and remember how much those negative experiences can snowball with other doubts into leaving the Church.
Many of you are likely on or recently had the gospel doctrine lesson about Korihor. How do we reconcile Alma 30’s disparate parts? Mormon goes way out of his way to talk about religious freedom among the Nephites, but Korihor is then bound and tried for expressing his religious views. Let’s get into it.
A study by a presenter at Sunstone talks about trends among doubters in the Church. The survey methodology isn’t perfect, but the results are very interesting.
Also, Al gets drunk.
There are lots of other little snippets of brilliance this week, so check out the show links below and come commingle with us.
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In the wake of the Republican National Convention and at the start of the Democratic National Convention, it’s time for TWiM’s political roundup, including LDS Democrats formally endorsing Hillary Clinton before the Wasserman Schultz fiasco, a Mormon praying to open one of the sessions of the convention even though the RNC got the Church’s name wrong, Jeff Flake continues to be a voice of sanity in an insane world, and the Boston Globe apologizes to Mitt.
Do pioneer trek reenactments get it wrong? Should we even do them? Did you know the Church has full-blown guidelines for them and even discourages certain activities, like organizing “raids” and sending the men off to join the Mormon Battalion even though that event happened ten years before the handcart pioneers took to the plains? There’s some interesting stuff here.
A developer intends to built Joseph Smith’s utopia—complete with robots—even though locals don’t seem to want it. Bloomberg has the entire story covered in the most over-described article we’ve read in years. This thing is a couple of paragraphs short of discussing the specific tone of a man’s arm hair.
It turns out the town around the Church’s priesthood restoration and Book of Mormon translation site has not benefited much from tourism dollars. These people want buzz on par with what Palmyra gets, but they won’t even buy one more fry cooker. Get it together, Pennsylvania.
Other stuff: President Monson subpoenaed over Native American sex abuse case; President Uchtdorf visits refugees, pledges aid; noted biographer Frances Gibbons passes away; and the Church talks about Pokemon Go without ever naming it.
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Should we incorporate applause into our church meetings, particularly after a musical number? There are surprisingly divided opinions on this. Let us take a journey down the rabbit hole.
We have in-depth information on what being a missionary (or “volunteer”) now means in Putin’s Russia. Crazy stuff.
Per usual nowadays, there’s something of a TWiM political roundup, with Orrin Hatch threatening fellow Utah legislators, polls showing Utahns don’t want Mormon leaders to endorse candidates, and an open letter to Trump about how Mormons’ views on Islam have been shaped by our history.
In a survey of questionable methodology, “researchers” find that Mormons are overwhelmingly uncomfortable with eternal polygamy. While the survey itself is iffy, this is an interesting subject that we don’t often spend much time on.
Should returned missionaries get discounts and perks when it comes to college options?
And in lots of random news: Bryce Harper is engaged again, and to the same girl; Moroni tops the Meridian Idaho Temple; Mormons are not God’s only children; fast for Turkey; Chicago gets a fancy, new meetinghouse; refugees have a float in the Days of ’47 parade; a Mormon family lives on a boat; and Berliners love MoTab!
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Lots to hop on this week. Let’s get down to business.
Video streaming and filtering service VidAngel files an antitrust countersuit against four Hollywood studios and lays out its case. Very compelling stuff. Why is this for Mormons? Because we have viewing standards, yo!
Is the phrase “without a shadow of a doubt” detrimental to leadership efforts in your ward or branch? Our buddies at LeadingLDS think so, and they have some tips on what we can do better.
Did you know that Pokemon Go can help you live the gospel? It can?
Mette Harrison is upset that people seem to expect her son to serve a mission even though he does not want to serve a mission. So is that on the membership? Should we not expect men to serve missions even when they are expected to serve missions? What are the answers to this? Culturally, sure, there are issues, but should there still be expectations of prospective missionaries?
Former Young Women’s General President Elaine S. Dalton creates RubyGirl, a site dedicated to helping girls feel a sense of place where they can ask difficult questions. We’ve decided Sister Dalton was waved off of such an endeavor while in office.
Church humanitarian services spends $40 million per year, a number that seems weirdly low to some, even if it’s still a very substantial number.
The Salt Lake Tribune wants to make a story about evangelicals favoring Trump over Romney within the standard of error and hopes you won’t notice the math.
If 2014’s boundary-pushing documentary Meet the Mormons left you unsatiated, never fear! New, 30-minute additions to the open canon of Mormon docudrama will soon be available at the Legacy Theater in Salt Lake City. You will forever be able to meet Mormons!
The Church responds to Russia’s anti-terror law, and the future is grim.
Random stuff: Senator Jeff Flake won’t even go to the GOP convention; LDS Living makes a number of headline snafus on the same article; frightening Donnie and Marie merchandise; FamilySearch hosts a worldwide indexing event; Star Valley Wyoming Temple open house; prophet portrait artist dies; This Is the Place park shows more than Mormon stuff.
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New Faces New Stories!! If you’re visiting Salt Lake City and find yourself wondering why the epic, fictional-but-representational pioneer saga, Legacy, isn’t playing at the Legacy Theater at Temple Square, the answer is simple: with 15 million Mormons, we’ll be busy for a while adding “new stories” to the Meet the Mormons film that occupies […]

Well, this has been a weird week for all of us, a sad week, a heartbreaking week. While we certainly take some time to talk about Louisiana, Minneapolis, and Dallas, we hope this week’s show provides a bit of levity during a time when many of us are weighed down.
In a shocking development, religious freedom is in the news! What are the chances? A lawsuit brought against the State of Iowa argues that the state’s anti-discrimination laws are forcing state interpretations of morality on churches. In related news, the parent company of LDSSingles.com agreed to terms in a lawsuit that its websites discriminated against the LGBT population.
Mission healthcare (or the lack thereof)! What were your experiences? Now the Church wants nurses (licensed or not) in each mission. One per mission!
Geoff expresses dismay over the How It’s Made tease on the making of sacrament cups, only to see a video of Jimmy making the cups. Inspiration? Well, fine.
Salt Lake City is among the rudest cities in nation, with near-zero explanation!
Sister missionary bikes in New Zealand are stolen, and Al bring his best Kiwi accent to explain it to us.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed that anti-terrorism law that we talked about last week. The law basically bans all sorts of religious discussion and proselytizing, potentially forcing missionaries to hold discussions only in a meetinghouse, among other inconveniences.
And Geoff eats crow on his fight to get the Angels the same level of respect from Salt Lake that the Dodgers do.
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What a week for news! So much has happened and we couldn’t even get to all of it.
When is it okay not to wear temple garments? Obviously, there are personal choices at play here, and all things should be done through study and prayer, but are there also not clear standards?
Moreover, how does that gel with modesty standards at BYU-Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center? There’s a dichotomy there, and Peggy Fletcher Stack is not pleased with it. Pure rage. Rage!
Russia’s Duma sends a new antiterrorism law to President Putin, which has the potential to curtail religious freedom greatly, including banning proselytizing and even praying outside of a house of worship. Furthermore, religious groups would be subject to government consent, supervision, and even eavesdropping. Just another day in Russia.
Al loves the story of Olive Oatman, the original Tattooed Mormon™. For the uninitiated, Olive was a Mormon who was later abducted by Native Americans only to resurface five years later with tattoos atop her face.
Will Mia Love be Donald Trump’s running mate? Will she become the lone Mormon who actually supports Trump?
Kentucky is getting a Noah’s Ark. We must all visit!
So it turns out President Hinckley spoke out pretty clearly in favor of gun control. Let’s all go back to 1999.
A fancy new app lets you basically spy on your kids’ web usage. This won’t end poorly or anything.
Other news: Brexit hell; Steven Spielberg loves some Mormon family; PBS covers the Church’s welfare program; a gay ex-Mormon is the true heir to the British throne; Philly Temple gets a president; how do we fight Church burnout, and an enterprising father takes out a marriage ad for his unwed, 50-year-old son, and it is gold.
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This week we’ve got some interesting social media posts by the Brethren, a number of items somehow related to pioneering, and more assorted news.
We’re sad to hear that an Oklahoma woman died while taking part in a youth pioneer trek. The 7-mile journey in 95 degree heat might have been a culprit. Either way, it’s sad, and now we have to wonder whether regulations are in order for miserable pioneer treks and if they are worth the potential cost.
In Salt Lake? On 23 June at the Assembly Hall there will be a great presentation on Zion’s Camp and the Lord’s hand therein.
Popular author (or popular “Deseret News” author if you are Jana Riess intended to mollify so-called “TBMS”) Fiona Givens has been on a book tour, and she sat down with Riess to talk about something interesting: Joseph Smith giving priesthood keys to Emma Smith. True? False? At least worthy of discussion? Absolutely.
URL the dog hunts porn, and he’s apparently not even that great at his job. Get it together, URL.
Elder Holland released a video about depression and mental health issues, framed around his semi-recent General Conference remarks on the topic. It has the feels.
Not to be beaten, President Uchtdorf published a Facebook image talking about how smartphones are basically modern-day seer stones, and who is to say God doesn’t have a hand in technology?
Other news: Winston Churchill once investigated Mormon missionaries over concerns they were brainwashing and abducting British women to Utah; the Freedmen’s Bureau Project completes; dads have an effect on their kids (wow!).
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Keep your pantyhose on. Al is back.
There is much to tell you this week. So very much.
Popular filtered-streaming service VidAngels is being sued by a few Hollywood Studios. Will VidAngel survive? Will its cheeky retort be its undoing?
Missionaries in Mexico are arrested, released, and reassigned for reportedly attempting to woo minors with food, then baptize them. Yup.
We have YOUR 50 Miss Utah contestants. Also, an LDS woman is crowned Miss New Zealand Tourism International. Not Tourism National. This is not some domestic tourism nonsense, OK? This involves passports.
An LDS.org article aimed at helping Aaronic Priesthood holders understand how to maximize their responsibility comes under fire for a section about Young Women that basically reduces them to modest or immodest folks. Because that is the only way a girl can help a boy. By not showing cleavage. There can’t possibly be any other ways.
Donald Trump has a major Mormon problem according to Major Mormon Problem™ McKay Coppins. Will Mormons bring Hillary back to the White House?
Mitt Romney dons a mask and fights with the skills of a sixth-grade boy at the latest CharityVision match, stunning everyone and reminding the audience he could have been their lucha-librador-in-chief.
Women in the United States might have to register for the draft. Should we care? Does this compromise family values and gender roles? The Proclamation on the Family says nothing of going to war.
What if THE General Authorities (meaning the First Presidency and Twelve, not you Seventy folks) were Disney characters? LDS.net has the worst-possible-ever article to explain it for you, with logic as tenuous as your relationship with this podcast.
Other stuff: Orrin Hatch and Muhammad Ali were BFFs; sister missionaries break the rules by leaving late and subsequently save people from a fire; toilet paper wedding dresses; President Monsons gets a scouting facility named after him; why the second Lima Peru Temple matters; and stories of gelato.
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Blake and Ie Ling Day of the Daylight podcast sit down with Geoff and his wife, Danielle, to riff on all things Mormon for the week, and a great time of it we have.
Scripture mastery is out and doctrinal mastery is in! What a great new program to help the kids gain context in the scriptures and not just engage in rote memorization of scriptures.
An author writes a click-bait-titled piece about no longer being a Mormon, but being a member of the Church. Aside from the Greg Trimble-esque title, there are some interesting nuggets here, and we have a few competing ideas on the merits of the article. Also, the author doesn’t know the Church’s name. We should all know how to write the Church’s name.
The fight for traditional marriage has flown south of the border to Mexico. Is it a fight worth fighting?
Mitt Romney will not box in this year’s CharityVision match in Salt Lake City, but MARIO LOPEZ (AKA AC SLATER) is taking part. SLATER. This is the best event of the year!
HISTORY has partnered with FamilySearch on the Freedmen’s Bureau Project in anticipation of the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in September 2016.
Vietnam! Good ol’ Vietnam grants the Church official recognition. What does it mean to get official recognition?
The Star Wars couple gets married. The internet rejoices.
Other news: Utah companies are naughty with the do-not-call list; 3 Dr Peppers a day will make you live forever; a list of movies filmed in Utah with one glaring omission; and promoting religious freedom in Africa.
Also, the Bountiful Utah Temple received a new Moroni. To shame! #KeepMoroniWounded
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Join us for a round table discussion about being a working mom and a Mormon. Our guests, Irene Stone and Tiffany Hales, along with co-host Kurt Francom, help tackle the ins and outs of these issues and the choices families and women make to support their interests while being mothers and supporting the Family Proclamation. Irene is a teacher and Tiffany is a prosecutor. We hope you’ll enjoy their remarks.
And on top of that, we do have some news items, like an emoji Bible, Shia LaBeouf hitchhiking with Mormons, Orrin Hatch responding to a meeting with Merrick Garland before it happens (and the Deseret News publishing said response), a Mormon missionary lost and found in Ogden, and some other good stuff!

"My religious principles are not in any way, shape or form compromisable. But I actually believe I'm living my religion now as I look out and try to do good to those that maybe don't agree with me, those that may hate me or loving my neighbor or trying to be respectful of other people."

Funnyman Steve Soelberg sits in the hot seat to talk about this week’s news. WILL HE SURVIVE?
Nearly half of female Mormon Missionaries will now be allowed to wear slacks during their proselytizing efforts due to concerns over Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases. It’s a pretty hardcore change of events.
Why do Mormons love fantasy novels so much? But seriously, why? Steve has the answer. Steve loves fantasy.
Utah is suffering from a serious opioid addiction epidemic, and the UK’s The Guardian thinks it has some answers as to why.
Lightning effectively destroys the angel Moroni on the Bountiful Utah Temple. We would like to start a petition to have TWiM assume ownership of the damages statue when it is inevitably replaced.
Our very own Al Doan was on BYUtv’s Turning Point over the weekend with his business, the Missouri Star Quilt Company, which has revitalized a previously moribund Missouri town. Watch it below.
Other news: the major “secrets” of missionaries using social media are revealed! Elder Norby of the Brussels bombings leaves the hospital; reservations are open for the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple open house; and Steve tells us about announcing Ragnars and getting a license to marry people.
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The new presidency of the Africa Southeast Area is getting busy by being a major presence at what is, essentially, a religious freedom conference in the city that many consider to be the political capital of the African continent, Addis Ababa. From the African Southeast area sub-site of LDS.org: “Elder and Sister Stanley G. Ellis of […]

Can the Prophet ever lead us astray? Popular blogger Jana Riess attempts to dissect such a notion, but misinterprets the very reference upon which the idea is based. To shame, Jana. To shame.
Mormon missionaries can now wear sunglasses. Apparently they could not before. Or apparently this requires codification. Geoff thinks it’s a move to stymie the efforts of overzealous mission presidents. Al thinks it’s to reign in dumb missionaries. Who wins? You decide!
Not rapper James the Mormon unofficially takes on Tyler Glenn and endures some unforeseen fallout, especially from one John Dehlin. James, Jimmy, Jimbo—this one’s not on you. You meant well.
Transgender bathroom issues are all the rage these days, and the Church has some official commentary on the matter. We have some unofficial commentary on the same matter.
In other news: President Uchtdorf organizes the first stake in the Czech Republic; Al struggles with US/Canada geography; there are actually no LDS Church companies involved with the Panama Papers; and the Pope says bosses are exploiting employees.

Let’s talk about Church finance. Sure, most of it isn’t disclosed, but a recent article that lists the Church’s for-profit entities has us thinking. So, like, for realz, we spend half the show talking Church money.
A St. George man was pricked him his heart to steal some missionaries’ gas card and then buy gas for others. In this metaphor, the missionaries are Prince John, the thief is Robin Hood, and the people are the people.
We’re sad to announce a few deaths of notable Mormons: Ronald Walker, famed historian and author of The Massacre at Mountain Meadows; and former US Senator Bob Bennett.
Psychologists have unlocked the secret to avoid failure on the mission. And you will find most of this is complete common sense that you’ve been taught for years. Still, good counsel.
In assorted news: Michael Otterson called as a temple president; a couple finds humor in infertility; work begins on a new engineering building at BYU; Trump memes; McMansions in Utah; and our boy Ryan Hamilton visits Colbert.

The “Teaching: No Greater Call” manual is on the outs, replaced by “Teaching in the Savior’s Way.” But there’s nothing new here, and we’ll explain to you why.
How much do you want to hear about babies born IN temples? You know you do.
According to Elder Maynes of the Seventy, multiple accounts of the First Vision are, in fact, a good thing and not an example of the entire thing being a fabrication. It’s a great perspective that we’ll talk about.
Our dear friend, colleague, and exemplar appears on the now-unfunny The Daily Show to talk about his obsessions with Donald Trump. Al LOVES it.
Another friend, Jamesthemormon, had a pretty great week on the iTunes charts. Good on him.
Elizabeth Smart revisits the old “chewed gum” analogy, arguing against abstinence-only sexual education because of its detrimental effects on victims of sexual violence.
Bryce Harper signs the largest endorsement deal in MLB history, still won’t tell us what happened with his engagement.
Neon Trees’ Tyler Glenn is quite upset with the LDS Church, so much that his new video is one big takedown of Mormonism.
Other news: a scam on grandparents of missionaries; 3 reasons to talk to your kids about difficult Church topics; super swanky temple bags and other temple news; and should men dump women who want to work?

The Huntsman family opts to buy the Salt Lake Tribune, potentially opening the door for greater autonomy and a severing of the paper’s relationship with the Deseret News.
Church spokesman Michael Otterson is retiring after 40 years of PR employment with the Church. His replacement, Assistant Church Historian Richard E. Turley, does not come from the ranks of PR professionals. Will this mean a new approach to public relations for Mormonism? Potentially. Stay tuned.
Brigham Young University buys Provo High School, enlarging the flagship campus for unknown purposes.
Tom Hanks appears on NPR’s “Fresh Air” and talks about the role of religion in his upbringing. It’s short, but interesting. And don’t be a Tom Hanks hater.
One of the missionaries injured in the Brussels attacks returns to his home in St. George, and receives a hero’s welcome!
Our friend Jamesthemormon released an EP, and it’s doing quite well on the iTunes charts! Huzzah for James.
Tennessee’s governor vetoes the bill that would have made the Bible the official state book. #missedopportunity
An Instagram post on the Mormon Channel leads to a guy stalking a single mom. Love ensues.
Other news: Australian media can’t get enough of now-Elder Peter Meurs; Brian Regan really opens up his wallet for Orem; two weeks after her mission, a darling lass is crowned the queen of the Days of ’47 parade; an LDS family builds weird treehouses and TLC cares; and the top 10 names in Utah. It’s very serious!
Editor’s Note: Geoff erroneously referred to African American spirituals as “slave hymns,” which in no way was meant to be insensitive. He merely endured a stupor of thought regarding the term for a vital component of the American musical canon.

Utah declares pornography a public health crisis. Does this carry any weight or is it an empty gesture? Our resident net neutrality experts weigh in on any potential legislative issues surrounding such a declaration and discuss potential ways forward.
After the press raked BYU’s Title IX office over the coals last week, BYU President Kevin J. Worthen calls for a reassessment of Title IX reporting process and structure, saying, “The university’s overriding concern is always the safety and well-being of its students.”
Ecuador’s earthquake kills hundreds, including at least six Mormons.
In other calamity news, we have updates on the last injured missionary remaining in Belgium following the Brussels attack.
Also some classic Mormon stuff about temples surviving natural disasters. We are impervious!
Jana Riess via PEW argues that Millennials are leaving the Church more than their forebears. Why? Also, some very interesting insights into Apostolic Twitter.™
In quick news: TWiM is now on Google Play Music, so you can stream to your heart’s content! California’s governor honors the Church for service; a new interactive site with the writings of George Q. Cannon; how a standing US senator joined the Church (and via which other standing US senator?); some awesome illustrations of missionary standards; and a new bishop’s storehouse in Palmyra is somehow worthy of reporting.
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